Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a favorite place that my family and I visit frequently. Blowing Rock is located just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We always enjoy visiting the cute shops, resaurants, and parks in Blowing Rock. You can even visit The Blowing Rock and learn the legend of The Blowing Rock as you take in the spectacular views there.

A major event has taken over the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year in Fort Mill, SC. It is an event that grows each year. This event is the Winter Wonderland Craft Fair at the Dairy Barn.

This event has been taking place for years at the Dairy Barn. I went to the event for the first time about five years ago. At that time, I went with my mother and our relatives who were in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. There were craft vendors inside the dairy barn and set up in tents just outside of the dairy barn.

One of my favorite places to visit for a day trip when I have company is Grandfather Mountain. Grandfather Mountain is located in Linville, NC. If you plan to stay overnight, you can choose from places in Linville, Pineola, Boone, and Blowing Rock. Each of these locations are within a half hour drive to Grandfather Mountain.

I am so fortunate that Grandfather Mountain is a two hour drive from my home. This makes the trip one that can be made

My holiday season began Wednesday morning at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. My mother first introduced me to this wonderful garden years ago. Thanks to her, I have been a member ever since.

I have spent hours upon hours at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. I took my first photography courses there from my wonderful first teacher, Dave Kelly. There is something to see and to photograph in every season at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

Wednesday was my first day off of work for the Thanksgiving break. I made my way, first thing,

For the past ten years, my husband’s best friend, Diane, has invited us to a pre Thanksgiving celebration at her house. We have come to affectionately refer to it as Fake Thanksgiving. Fake Thanksgiving is exactly like real Thanksgiving except

Saturday was an exciting day to visit Sugar Mountain Resort. My husband and I spent the weekend with our friends, Lorraine and Jack, in the Sugar Mountain area.

Saturday morning, Sugar Mountain Resort had the Summit Express’ Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The Summit Express is a new, six passenger chair lift at Sugar Mountain. The ceremony began at 10:00 a.m.

A crowd gathered before 10:00 to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. The events started inside the lodge. The actual ribbon cutting took place ourside by the new lift.

North Carolina’s Governor, Pat McCrory, cut the ribbon. After cutting the ribbon, he

This weekend, I revisited Elk River Falls with my husband and some friends. The waterfall is impressive and a short walk from the car. We had finished a day filled with hiking and decided to take the short walk to show our friends this waterfall to conclude our day.

As primarily a nature photographer, I enjoy being outdoors photographing. Often the things I want to photograph require me to travel at odd hours of the day or night, hike to get to my subject matter, and be in isolated locations.

While this may seem ideal to many, for a female photographer, it can be less than optimal.

I would like to start by sharing a story. One day, I saw an area of gorgeous wildflowers that were blooming along an off ramp on a busy stretch of highway. The flowers stretched the entire way up this off ramp. I had just gotten into “the zone” (happy place of creating with my camera) when another car pulled off not far from my vehicle. At first, I didn’t think much of it. A man got out of the vehicle and started making his way towards